Chapter 9
Jethro let Peter off at his house before continuing on to his house. He ran into his house so excited to share what he had discovered concerning Tony with his family. He could imagine how happy Shannon was going to be when she learned that they could adopt Tony with no difficulties preventing the adoption. But when he entered he found the house empty.
"Shannon? Kelly? Tony?" he called but no one came running at his call and he began to worry where they were. He was about to pick up the phone to call his cousin to see if they were at his house when the phone rang.
"Gibbs," he answered before adding, "Peter is Shannon, Kelly and Tony at your house?
"Jethro you need to get over here quickly; it seems that the boys got into some trouble at school today and were paddled and suspended for the remainder of the week," replied Peter.
"I'm on my way," cried Jethro before running out of the house and up to his cousins' house in a matter of minutes and walking into the house without knocking. Inside he found confusion as Peter tried to discover what had happened and the two wives trying to explain.
"HEY!!!" shouted Jethro didn't even penetrate the commotion so he used his best shrill whistle and suddenly there was silence.
Peter took the moment to quickly explain all that he knew. "Tony and Neal got into a fight at school; they were paddled and suspended for the remainder of the week. The boys are waiting for us in Neal's room."
"Then that is where we are headed," remarked Jethro.
"Don't be too hard on them," cried Elizabeth as she accompanied Peter to the door.
"Don't worry…we just want to hear their side of it," replied Peter with his hand of the door.
Jethro turned back to the wives and said, "while we are getting to the bottom of everything you two can start planning their adoption party…we found everything we needed to start the adoption procedure."
Peter and Jethro then entered Neal's bedroom to find both boys lying on their stomachs on Neal's bed waiting. They had looked up at the sound of the door opening and both faces wore expressions of fear and pain.
Peter walked over to Neal and asked, "What happened at school today, Neal?"
"W-We got p-paddled for something we didn't do, Dad?" cried Neal as a tears began to roll down his face.
"Come here son and tell me all about it," Peter said as he opened his arms to gather Neal in a hug.
Neal threw himself at Peter crying at the pain the movement caused. "There, there, son it will be okay," he said as he tried to comfort him.
He then turned to Tony and asked, "What happened, Tony; why is he crying so?"
"Principal Nichols paddled us hard, Uncle Peter; and Neal broke down during the paddling. He didn't have to paddle Neal so hard; I was the one that hit Michael. I told them that but he said that we both were to blame and we both deserved the sound amount of licks…so he paddled me first and Neal second but he used the same strength on Neal as he did me," explained Tony sniffling…his butt was sore too.
Jethro went to his son by then and was offering comfort towards him as well. "Why did you hit Michael, Tony?"
"Because he was about to hit Neal; by the time I arrived he had Neal pinned against a tree and was about to clobber him…I just prevented it by jumping on him and decking him one. Unfortunately my hit was seen by one of the teachers on duty who started screaming bloody murder about Neal and me picking on her son and everything that by the time we were brought in front of Principal Nichols he believed her version of what happened instead of ours," Tony explained angrily.
"I take it that it was Mrs. Decker who saw you hit her son?"
"Yes Uncle Peter," replied Tony, "and she insisted on being present while we were being paddled…in fact she was the one who kept on urging Principal Nichols to hit a little harder…that what he was doing wasn't hard enough to make the type of impression to prevent us from bullying her son."
"Did she continue her urging while Neal was being paddled?" Peter asked as his anger grew.
"Yes…that is when he broke down and began to cry. He cried for the majority of the paddling Uncle Peter and he's being crying off and on since he got home, too. He tried to be tough whenever Aunt El looked in on us but soon would start again afterwards."
Peter looked alarmed at the statement and put his hand up to his brow to see if he had fever….he was burning up. "Elizabeth!" he shouted as he moved to place Neal back on his bed, "come quickly, Neal needs you!"
"What's wrong Peter?" El said as she and Shannon enter the room.
"He's burning up," Peter said motioning to their son.
Elizabeth tentatively put her hand to his brow and gasped at the heat radiating from it. "What could have caused this?" she asked as Shannon went for a cold rag to try and cool him down.
"We need some cold water Peter," she said urgently.
"I'll get it," volunteered Jethro as he left on the run.
"As to the cause, I think that is due to the paddling he received today," cried Peter as he gently turned Neal on his stomach and pulled his pants and underwear down. His backside was bruised badly; it showed some abrasion and was hot to the touch.
El gasped and demanded, "Who did this to our son?"
"Principal Nichols at the urging of his sister Emma Decker, Michael's mother and don't worry Jethro and I will be having words with the both of them tomorrow…he also paddled Tony most likely just as viciously," replied Peter as Jethro and Shannon returned almost simultaneously.
"Jethro, you and Shannon need to see this and check Tony to see if his backside is as abused," ordered Peter as he stood back to give them a better view.
"Can we borrow your bedroom?" requested Jethro.
Peter nodded and Shannon and Jethro led Tony aside to check out his injuries in the privacy of their bedroom.
El with Peter helping slowly began to sponge Neal's body in hopes of bringing his fever down and easing the pain of his paddling. They worked in shifts until finally the fever broke and Neal was able to sleep. Peter brought in the rocking chair and placed it next to Neal's side so his mother could watch him while he went out to talk with his cousin over this assault their sons suffered that afternoon.
"How is he?" Jethro asked of Neal.
"Sleeping more comfortable; the fever has broke and El is going to stay with him for a bit. Where is your family" Peter asked as he noticed that Shannon, Kelly and Tony were gone.
"I told them to go home; I was staying so we can talk about what happened today."
"What about Tony? His he as hurt as Neal was?"
"No…but him being older and bigger probably helped with that; I'm not saying that he didn't show the signs of a brutal paddling because he did; it just didn't effect him like it did Neal. You know we can bring charges of abuse for what he did to Neal?"
"I know but first I want to know what started it and it seems that Neal is the only one that can tell us and he is unable to do that now. Let's go home and wait until tomorrow and then review the facts and take the right steps then. Jethro I know you want to go home and tell your family the wonderful news…please go; we will be okay," pleaded Peter.
Jethro nodded and left. Peter watched him from the porch until he arrived at this house before locking the door and returning to El's side.
The night went well on the whole; there were a few times during the eveing when Neal whimpered in his sleep but El was always there to help him back to sleep and when he awoke the next morning Neal was feeling much better. His butt still hurt but at least now he could put a bit of pressure on it without too much discomfort. So he got up ad dressed and carrying his pillow with him went off looking for breakfast.
"Hi," Neal said quietly as he came upon his parents sipping coffee at the kitchen table.
"Neal…how are you feeling this morning?" asked El lovingly.
"Better…I'm hungry; can I have some breakfast?" asked Neal as he put his pillow in his chair and carefully sat down. He winced a little at first before settling down to await his breakfast.
"What do you want, my sweet boy?" asked El.
"Pancakes with sausage," replied Neal quickly.
El and Peter exchanged an amused glance before El turned back to the stove, "Pancakes it is then; Peter will you pour him a glass of milk while I prepare his feast. I dare say you are hungry since you missed supper last night."
"Yes ma'am."
Peter brought him his milk and cleared his throat, "Neal while you are waiting for breakfast can you tell me what happened yesterday that got you and Tony sore backsides and suspensions."
Neal looked a bit scared at the comments and it was only after Peter assured him that he wasn't in any trouble that he began his story. "I was on my way to join Abby and Tony for lunch. We always bring sandwiches and eat under one of the trees in the yard. I was hurrying when I saw Michael and Kate, a new girl in class. They seemed to be arguing so I went to see why. Michael was trying to get her to do his homework in Latin class. It seems that Kate and I are the top students in Latin and I guess when he couldn't persuade me he decided to try Kate," Neal explained as he paused to take a sip of milk.
Peter encouraged him to continue. "Dad, by the time I got there she was crying and trying to get away from him. I couldn't just watch and not do anything so I got in his way and gave Kate a way to get away. It made him mad and he tried to follow but I kept on getting in his way until he turned his focus on me and started swinging, but I kept on backing away until he had backed me into a tree and I was unable to stop Micheal from finally hitting me…or so I thought when Tony arrived and launched himself at Michael. He decked him knocking him to the ground. I was saved…or so I thought because soon afterwards Mrs. Decker arrived screaming that we were hurting her son. Her cries brought the other teachers on duty and soon she had them convinced to her side of the story. They didn't even ask us our side of anything," and Neal faltered.
"They took you and Tony to Principal Nichols, right son?" asked Peter.
Neal nodded.
"He listened to what his sister told him and paddled you and your cousin?"
Again Neal nodded. "He hit Tony hard, Dad; he caused him to cry out several times during the paddling and whenever Mrs. Decker thought he wasn't been hit hard enough she would tell Principal Nichols to hit him harder. Then it became my turn and Mrs. Decker told her brother that I was the brains behind it all and should be punished just as strongly as Tony if maybe not more. Tony tried to stop them; he told them that he was the one that hit Michael not me but they wouldn't listen, they pushed Tony out of the office and told him that he was suspended for the remainder of the week," Neal explained before adding in a whisper, "then he gave me six licks and at Mrs. Decker's insistence he lowered my pants and gave me six more on my bare bottom," wept Neal as he relieved the experience once again.
El and Peter looked in horror at what they had been told. Tony hadn't mentioned anything of Neal being paddled bare; probably assumed that he was paddled like he had been. El immediately took the pan from the stove and went to her son. She pulled him into her lap as she comforted him before looking up at Peter and saying angrily, "I want charges brought against that monster that beat our child…and Mrs. Decker who urged him to do so!"
Peter nodded and took his jacket and hat left immediately. He headed to Jethro's to talk things out and to see if he wanted to press charges as well.
*******************
Later that day US Marshal Jethro Biffs and Deputy Marshal Pete Burke paid a visit to Neal's and Tony's school; to Principal Nichols and Mrs. Emma Decker in particular. They had called upon the school board president, Mr. Reece Hughes, powerful but fair individual who had been horrified to learn what had gone on at the East Washington Public School of which Thomas Nichols was principal. "Do you mean to tell me that your sons were paddled in front of the mother of the child they were reported as beating up?"
"Yes, unfortunately she is also one of the teachers at the school; she teaches the second grade and as no contact with her son as a teacher. She was the one who says she witnessed the whole thing but I have my doubts on that. If what my son says is true, she only became aware of seeing her son fall not what or who caused that fall. She assumed that he had been hit and that Tony and Neal were the ones that did it," explained Jethro grimly.
"And you say that there is a bully problem at the school and that your son, Neal has been bullied?"
"Yes, sir and the bully is Michael Decker, her son," replied Peter. "He has been bullying all of the younger children. He won't pick on kids his own age, like Tony," replied Peter seriously.
"But why does he expect the younger children to do his work, since he isn't in their grade?" asked Hughes confused.
"Because he isn't in the right grade for his age, sir; he is in the same grade as Neal…the fourth grade when he should be in the sixth same as Tony," corrected Peter. "It's my understanding that he has failed the fourth grade twice…won't apply himself to his studies and with a doting mother and a weak father he will continue to do poorly in school."
"I get the picture now…what is it what you want me to do?"
"Dismiss Thomas Nichols as principal and replace him with someone who is fairer and doesn't have any relatives on the teaching staff that will cloud his judgment," replied Jethro Gibbs as his cousin nodded in agreement.
"I think that can be arranged; but I need time to arrange for his replacement. Was there anything you wanted to do about Mrs. Decker?"
"Jethro and I discussed her case, Mr. Hughes and we think that a reprimand from you might be enough this time. Unless she sees her child as others see and know him there isn't much that can be done for either. We are going to go over and talk with them and tell them how close they came to having charges placed against them for child abuse but that is just to make sure our sons will be safe until Nichols replacement arrives…thank you for your time and effort," Peter said as he shook Mr. Hughes hand's and left with Jethro.
"Mr. Burke, Mr. Gibbs…I understand that you want to talk to me about the punishment I was forced to deliver to your sons…as well as to their suspension," Nichols greeted as the two marshals entered his office.
"Yes, and we also want a word with Mrs. Decker," replied Jethro seriously, "we understand that she was present during the paddlings."
"I've sent for her; she will be here presently," began Nichols as a knock came to the door. "Ah that must be her now," and got up to let her in.
"Emma, these are the fathers of Tony and Neal, the boys I punished yesterday for fighting your son in the school yard at lunch," he explained.
Jethro and Peter waited until after the explanation had been given and she seated before they became their interrogation…of precise Jethro's interrogation.
"Ma'am, when were you aware that something bad was going on in the school yard?"
"Well, it was maybe soon after the bell rang dismissing the school for lunch," she said remembering. "I was walking to my post near the swings. I hadn't been there but a few minutes when I heard a commotion near the trees next to where the boys like to play baseball. It looked like some kids were rough housing and I went to investigate."
Jethro nodded and then asked, "When were you able to see what exactly was happening?"
"Not until I got close…and I saw a child run off, I recognized her as new student in my son's, Michael's class. I watched her to see where she went and when I returned I saw my son crying in the dirt and your sons standing over him…they teamed up to knock him to the ground. I ran to his aid and call for the other teachers to come and help. Your boys were brought before Principal Nichols and he punished them with a paddling and suspension," she explained proudly.
"You told your brother exactly what to cause him to punish our sons so brutally."
"That they had teamed up to beat my boy for no reason and should be punished to the highest degree…suspension is part of any punishment that deals with fighting on school grounds."
"But you hadn't seen them teaming up only that they were standing over your son…and that your son ws crying. You assumed that they had teamed up to knock your son to the ground not that they actually had!" shouted Jethro angrily.
"And even then you weren't satisfied as you urged your brother to beat them harder and even to the fact of paddling my nephew on his bare backside…do you know what that paddling did to them…to Neal. It left bruises and abrasions on his backside and caused him to have a fever because of it…all because you have eyes but can't even see that the bully you excuse our sons' of being is actually your own son!" Shouted Jethro as his hand hit the desk loudly.
"You can't talk to me like that," blustered Emma Decker.
"Well, I just did and you came this close," added Jethro as he held his thumb and forefinger about half an inch apart, "from having a charge of lying to cause injury to another leveled at you for your actions of yesterday. We have decided to settle for a letter of reprimand from the President of the East Washington Public School Board to be sent to you instead with the condition of leveling those charges if something like this ever occurs again….good day ma'am!"
Mrs Decker turned read with anger and fear at the thought of what that reprimand might mean to her employment at the school; she turned to her brother for his support only to be told, "You had better leave now…we'll talk later," and she nodded before leaving.
Once Mrs. Decker had left Jethro turned the floor over to his cousin and sat to watch him in action. "Mr. Nichols, this is for you," and held out a letter from the stationary of the President of his school board.
Nichols took it with shaky hands and read it turning pale as he read that he would be replaced for his actions of the preceding day. That the school board would give him until January of the next year to be gone and were in the process of looking for his replacement; but until then he had better be on the best of behavior or he wouldn't be given those extra months to find another position.
Jethro and Peter got up to leave after Nichols had acknowledged the letter but turning back Peter said, "Our sons will be back Monday, and if either one of them is sent to you for correction just send a letter home with them and if the punishment is deserved we will discipline them ourselves; you are not to touch them or we will be back to charge you with child abuse. We also want the suspension deleted from their records; they are taking two days off for sickness instead!"
Nichols only nodded numbly and watched them leave wishing that he had never taken this job; it had only given him one problem after the other especially after his sister and her family had arrived four years ago. He would be glad to leave and go somewhere where he had no relatives to tell him how to run his job.
13
